"Lord Qian has passed away!" As the cries of battle shook the air, Gao Ze still stepped forward to report, recounting Qian Wei's final expression.
"Minister Qian is gone?"
Smoke filled the air and the killing never ceased. Only after a long while did Su Ziji frown and murmur, "Human nature truly cannot be summed up in a single phrase..."
He had found it difficult to feel any goodwill toward this man and had never intended to place him in an important position.
His visit had only been for the sake of appearances...
Death was no surprise.
If he had truly wanted to protect him, he need not have died.
Though Su Ziji had not killed him with his own hands, his own judgment had been involved. He had sat by and watched him die...
But now that the man was dead, all grudges were settled. A minister had his loyalty and integrity; did a sovereign not require the same in return?
Su Ziji drew a deep breath and gave his orders.
"Minister Qian died from the poison of traitors, and Our court has lost a pillar of state. We are deeply grieved and troubled."
"Yet the rebel chaos has not been quelled, and funeral rites cannot presently be held. Record this for now. After We suppress the rebellion and return to the palace, withdraw a thousand taels of gold from the Inner Treasury and grant them to the Qian Family, to offer some small comfort to Our heart."
"Have the Ministry of Rites draft a posthumous title as well. He must be properly commended... Sigh, let that be all."
As he spoke, he appeared especially solemn and melancholy, somewhat listless. Just then, a shout suddenly rose in the distance, faintly bearing the name of the Brahma Deity.
**"Protect the